Merry & Bright...

Happy New Year's Eve everyone...I can't believe this year is coming to an end!  Where on earth has the time gone?  We don't have any special plans, as I prefer to stay home on New Year's Eve...not to mention I woke up not feeling well this morning=(  
Anyhow, my dear friend and fellow spouse, Barb asked if I'd make another Christmas Card for her.  I said yes, of course!  Again she had no special requests, just a Christmas Card...do what you want=)  This is what I came up with...

I started out stamping PI Sparkling Season in Memento on Neenah, coloring with Copics.  I paper pieced the ornament.  Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Rose Red, and Carta Bella Merry & Bright paper.  SU Square Punch, Mavy Snowflake Punch, Buttons & Twine.  I used MFTWSC102.

 

I completed 40 of the 52 MFT Sketches for this year.  My personal goal was to do them all.  Tho I didn't accomplish that, I have to say I am happy with what I did do.

Thank-you so much for stopping by.

Have a safe and fabulous New Year!

Warm Winter Welcome...

One of the things that I like to do for my hubs squadron is make Welcome Cards for the new spouses as they arrive.  I invite them to the next spouse's social and let them know I'm here if they have any questions or need anything.  I made 6 of these cards for the spouses that arrived in November & December.

I did the usual...Neenah, Momento & Copics.  Then fussy cut PI Warm Wishes out and added some Stickles to her outfit.  Perfect Plum, Going Grey, and EP Winter Wishes paper, CB Folder, Marvy Snowflake Punch, Smooch, Button, Twine, Die-namics Sweet Stack Labels, Sentiment from SU Everything Baby and Rhinestones.  I used MFTWSC 104.  My entry for EP FB Winter Wishes Project Challenge.

Thank-you so much for stopping by.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Silent Auction Card #2...

I only got around to making two cards for the Silent Auction for my spouse's group.  I put the two cards in a square patriotic basket along with a stars and stripes tin from the $1 bin at Target.  In the tin I put a book of stamps, a pen, and a lil' American Flag.  I made up a tag with the contents of the basket and a voucher for 12 custom made cards.  I of course forgot to take a picture of the complete basket, ah well.  The basket went for $32, we made a total of $255 that night for our spouse's group=)

It's a little hard to see in my picture but my wreath is made out of two layers of Die-namics Hexagon, using MME American Made.  I layered it with Die-namics Stacking Stars and Die-namics Star Stax in Night of Navy, Real Red, White, and Red Rhinestones.  Topped it with a Die-namics Beautiful Bow using EP Dots & Stripes Metropolitan.  Sentiment from PI Soldier Boy, SU Square Punch, SU Linen Thread, Button, EP Little Boy, and the negative from Die-Namics Mini Monarch Border.  I used MFTWSC88.

  Thank-you so much for stopping by! 

Warm & Wonderful Neighbors...

So I'm extremely late getting into the "Pinterest" craze.  I signed up months ago to see what the hype was all about and honestly, I hated it.  I think I went on a handful of times and logged off about as quickly as I signed on, it just didn't appeal to me.  Well, last week I went back to it and stopped searching for "card" and "crafty" stuff...just browsed.  What got me hooked???  The "fashion finds".  What woman doesn't love clothes, right?  Well I just love when people do the outfit collages, I really enjoy seeing how other people put clothes together, it gets me creative within my own closet and I love to refind items I forgot I had=)  My daughter who also wasn't sold on Pinterest is now hooked as well...thanks Pinterest???

Anyhow...a few weeks ago my friend Kat made some beautiful bows out of ribbon for a craft fair that I fell in love with, but thought wow, those look time consuming and complicated to make!  She told me I could make them, that they were easy, ha!  Well, while just browsing Pinterest during one of my insomnia nights I came across a bow tutorial...and she was right, they were easy!  So here's to my first "Pinterest Project"...

I made my neighbors Chocolate Covered Salted Caramels for Christmas and put them in these gift bags I made (I forgot to take a picture of them filled).  I followed the pinterest tutorial for the bows (which I had to laugh...the name of the person's blog is "How About Orange" ~love it!~).  I used EP Winter Wishes to make my bow instead of an old magazine and had to modify it just a bit, thick DSP isn't as giving as magazine paper.  Pale Plum, SU Border Punch, Marvy Snowflake Punch, Button, SU Baker's Twine, SU Corner Punch, and Sentiment from SU Four the Holidays.  This will be one of my entries for the EP FB Winter Wishes Project Challenge.  So, what do you think...how'd I do for my first Pinterest Project?

Thank-you for stopping by. 

Have a great night! 

A Deployed Christmas...

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope ya'll have had a wonderful day spent with family and friends!  My thoughts are with all the deployed service members and families of the deployed who can't spend today together.  Sending thoughts and (((HUGS))) ya'lls way!
Sadly the only Christmas Cards I made and sent out this year were to my deployed spouses.  The last few months have been so crazy for me.  My daughter started working a new job with different hours, which means I have the grand boys all day.  Needless to say trying to craft during that time has been very challenging, I get in what I can tho=)  Anyhow, as I said these are for my deployes spouse's.  As a key spouse one of my duties is to check up on them and make sure they're doing ok and see if they need anything during their spouse's deployement.  One of the ways I like to do this is by sending them a card...lets them know I'm here for them and am thinking of them too=)

I started off with Neenah, Momento, and Copics.  I fussy cut ALM Sparkling Season out, then paper pieced her ornament and added a glaze pen to her boots.  Cherry Cobbler, Black, EP This & That Christmas paper, Marvy Snowflake Punch, SU Linen Thread, and a Button.  My entry for RCC75, Holiday Spirit.  I used MFTWSC99.

Last month I went to a dinner the base holds for all the deployed spouse's, it was my first one attending.  I talked to several families to see how they were doing and handling the deployment.  One spouse told me her husbands squadron bought the deployed spouse's tickets to their Christmas Party.  I thought, hmmm...what a fabulous idea!!!  So, I talked with my husband and asked him what he thought of me inviting our deployed spouses and purchasing their tickets (we only have a handful that are deployed, not several like other squadron's on the base so it wouldn't be finacially draining).  Anyhow, a couple of the deployed spouses said they'd love to attend, it so made my night!  I'm so glad they got out for the evening.  Below are a couple of pictures from our Christmas party...

Me and my hubs

My deployed spouses

Ladies in Red (and black, lol)...

Ugly Sweater Dance Off- Gangnam Style...

Santa & Mrs. Claus

Thank-you so much for stopping by!

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas!

Happy Retirement Chief Huckaba!!!

For Chief Huckaba who recently retired.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to his retirement, I woke up at 5 that morning with the flu...I was in bed for the next two days, ugh!  

I did my usual...Neenah, Momento, Copics.  Then fussy cut the image from WTG Godspeed out, mounting it on a Crumb Cake layer I ran through my Cuttlebug.  Real Red, MME American Made paper, Die-namics Star Stax, Star Rhinestones, Button, SU Linen Thread.  I'm still behind with my sketches and trying to catch up.  I used MFTWSC90 for this one.

Thank-you for stopping by!

Have a great weekend!

Contempo Snowflakes...

I completed an order for 60 retirement cards a couple weeks before my friend and fellow spouse, Barb placed an order with me.  She made me giggle when she "placed" the order...she asked if she could order just one card from me and asked if that was "allowed", lol.  I said of course!  Barb gave me plenty of time to make the card for her and had no specific requests at all...that was a first for me.  This is what I came up with...   

I started out using the blue Marvy Snowflake Punch then sponged Crumb Cake and Scattered Straw Distress Ink around the snowflakes and the sides to give the Very Vanilla Cardstock an aged look.  I stamped Merry Christmas from SU's Contemp Christmas Set in Pool Party.  I layered it on EP Season's Greetings then onto my Crumb Cake card base.  I used a wide Robin Egg colored Ribbon from Michael's layering it with Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Denami Design Buttons, and Linen Thread.  My entry for RCC75 which is Holiday Spirit.

Thank-you so much for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!



Thankful for You Treat Bags...

I'm so late in posting these=(  I made Chocolate Covered Salted Caramels for my hubs troops for Thanksgiving.  Oh my heck they were so good!  Time consuming to make, but oh so good!!!

I stamped Give Thanks Circle from Denami Design in Memento Ink on Neenah.  Then using my Stamp-a-ma-jig I stamped the Turkey , coloring with Copics.  I used the SU 1 3/8 Circle Punch and SU Scallop Circle Punch.  Tim Holtz Rossette Die.  More Mustard, Crumb Cake, and I think the paper is American Crafts? or We R Memory Keepers. 

Back view of the treat bags.  The sentiment is from Denami Design.

Group shot of all the treat bags.

Thank-you so much for stopping by!

Silent Auction Card #1...

I'm making a card basket for the silent auction at my hubs squadron's Christmas Party on Friday.  I meant to start this several weeks ago, sigh.  This is the first card I've made for the basket.  My hope was to make 12, fingers crossed I get somewhere close to that!

I started off stamping PI Soldier Girl on Neenah with Memento, coloring with Copics.  I fussy cut her out and mounted her on a layer of Crumb Cake that I ran through my Cuttlebug.  Real Red, White, MME American Made paper.  CB Folders,  Die-namics Star Stax,  SU Linen Thread, Rhinestones, and a Button.  I used MFTWSC101 for my layout.

We went to the 12th Air Force's Christmas Party this past Friday.  It was at a private gated communities country club.  Absolutely beautiful!  The view was amazing...on top of a hill overlooking the city, just breathtaking.  We had a lot of fun.  Below are a few pictures from the evening.

Me and my hubs.

Me and Barb. 

Me, Barb, and Annie. 

Annie and her hubs Matt. 

Thank-you so much for stopping by.

Have a great week!



Congratulations Chief Pohnert...

One of my hubs coworkers pinned on Chief this past Friday.  I made him this card to congratulate him on his accomplishment.  Promotion to Chief is highly competitive, only 1% of the Air Force makes it to Chief.  Congratulations again to making it to the top 1% Chief Pohnert!

I first would like to thank Angela for making this stunning card.  She gave me the idea to make my own stripes...I made mine like  patch they'd sew onto their uniform verses a whole new sleeve like she did.  Thank-you again Angela for the inspiration!!!  I started out by masking the patches on the arm, then stamped WTG Godspeed in Memento on Neenah using Copics.  I made a very modified version of Chief Stripes, cut it out and placed it on the arm (making sure to ask my hubs if I had the placement right, lol).  I used a White Gel Pen for the stripes and buttons.  Real Red, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy and MME American Made paper.  Die-namics Star Stax and Die-namics Stacking Stars, SU Square Punch, Button, Twine, and sentiment from WTG Godspeed.  I'm way behind with my goal of doing the weekly sketch challenges from MFT for a whole year=(  But...this one is actually in on time=)  MFTWSC100.

Thank-you for stopping by!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Halloween Thank-you...

My spouse's group put together a Halloween Party for the kiddos a couple weeks ago.  I made a couple of cards to thank a few people for all of their help.  One of our spouse's was kind enough to offer to take pictures during the party...which turned out great!  We also had a lot of help from my hubs troops...they carried tables up to the second floor for us, set them up, even decorated the room for us!  We appreciated all of their help so very much!!!

I kept my card very simple, using FTL215.  I started out with a Crumb Cake card base.  I used a Pumpkin Pie Marker with the SU Spritzer Tool.  Die-namics Halloween Charms, going over them with Stickles, Die-namics Spider Web, going over them with Smooch Tuxedo, then adding orange pearls for the eyes.  Die-namics Double Dot Border and Big Greetings Stamp Set.

My grandboys at the Halloween Party.

Woody- Wylie (3 1/2 yrs)

Buzz- Connor (2 yrs)

Thank-you for stopping by.

Have a great weekend!



Godspeed...

This is for one of my favorite troops!!!  My hubs co-workers is getting out of the Air Force and going full time Reserves later this week.  I sure am going to miss seeing him at the compound. 

   

This is my entry for CTS#5, and my first time playing with the gals over at CAS(E) this Sketch!  I started out with a card base of Night of Navy with a white layer.  Die-namics Notched Border, my Real Red was a couple of inches wide so I could use the piece that is left on the outside of the Notched Border, not the inside.  I stamped Godspeed on a white layer from the SU Godspeed set.  I used Die-namics Stacking Stars and Echo Park Dots & Stripes Metropolitan and Echo Park Little Boy. 

As we observe Veterans Day today, I'd like to share a poem and few photo's...

Freedom is not Free

by Ashley Persyn

There is a price we pay for freedom

For it is not truly free

But rather paid for by the contributions of veterans

To buy our liberty

As their blood drains from their body and runs like a river

through the grass

Over the years it's forgotten, war is placed in our past

I don't think we all realize the importance veterans

play

as they voluntarily serve America each and every day

We should honor the veterans for they act like a shield

Protecting us from danger, keeping America healed.

So if you would take a second to commemorate

You will instantly see

We owe veterans our gratitude

For they are the reason we are free

 

Me and my hubs at our second welcome home for the WWII Vets.

Normally my hubs would be in uniform saluting at the receiving line=(

  

The first welcome home we attended for the WWII Vets.

Sausa, my hubs, the First Shirt- Sgt White.

I can't explain the emotion felt seeing the Vets come down the receiving line...

It's such a humbling experience.

  

MSgt Moller's pin on. 

One of the strongest, most courageous women I have met. 

RIP Melissa.  We miss you dearly!!!

  

The Commander and his wife when we arrived at DMAFB. (We're on Commander #3)

Such a fabulous and fun couple!!!

Mimi and (Ret) Col Kross 

  

Patriot Riders were there for the September 2012 WWII Vets Welcome Home.

This was from our first welcome home.

I'm honored to have been a part of such a special day for these WWII Vets! 

Thank-you to all the Veterans, past and present for your service and sacrifices...

for it is because of you we have the freedoms we do.

Thank-you for stopping by! 

Have a great week!

 

Halloween Paper Bag Treat Bags...

Oh my heck...I'm finally done with these treat bags, yay!!!  What originally was going to be a quick and simple project turned into a huge time consuming one.  I made 31 of these Halloween Treat Bags to give to my hubs troops and spouses today at our Children's Halloween Party.  Every year his squadron decorates the doors to their offices and hallways, the active duty members get dressed up at the end of the day then the kids get to trick or treat their offices.  After they're done trick or treating, our Spouses Group has a little Halloween Party for them with crafts, games, and food.  This year my grandboys (3 1/2 and 2) are going as...Woody and Buzz.  They're both really excited, especially Wylie...every day he asks me, "Mommom, we have Halloween Party?"  Love him!

This is my entry for RCC73, which is Halloween Spirit.  I knew the Spider Webs were going to be time consuming so I started off with them.  I used the Die-namics Spider Web on vellum, going over it with Smooch Pearlized Top Coat, tucking Silver Cord under the web for the spider to dangle from, then adhering it with Zip Dry. I slightly distressed EP Chillingsworth Manor then added my Denami Design Ribbon (so sad they retired this ribbon, I used the whole spool on this project!), Twine, and Buttons.  I used a mini paper bag, folding the bottom up and adhering three sides so it will leave an opening at the top when folded, creating a "pocket".  Sentiment and Spider from Die-namics Spider Web and Stamp Set, Pumpkin Pie card stock, SU Square Punch, Smooch Tuxedo, Kiwi Pearl Pen.  I tied on a lil' spider web from Die-namics Halloween Charms to the pencil with SU Silver Cord.

  

As I was almost finished making the treat bags, I decided they needed a lil' card to go with them.  So, I made 31 cards...sigh.  I got the glitter foam cats (30 in a pkg) from the $1 store.  Inside the cards I added my Key Spouse "business" card and stamped Happy Halloween. 

The back of the treat bags.  The cards fit perfectly inside the little pocket.  Unfortunately I had already stamped my blog info (custom stamp from PSA Essentials) on the back of the bags before I decided to make the matching cards...ah well.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by Hurricane Sandy. 

It's amazing the damage one storm can cause.

Thank-you for stopping by. 



Autumn, Inspired by Me...

As many of you know, I'm a Key Spouse for my hubs squadron.  One of my duties as a Key Spouse is to offer support for our deployed spouses.  I check in on them to see if they need anything and make sure they're doing ok during their spouse's deployment.  One of the ways I like to do this is by sending them a card each month.  This is the card I made them for October (tho not all of them have gone postal).  I made enough so I could send the "pre-deploying" spouse's a card too.  I wanted to touch base with them to let them know I was thinking of them and I'm here if they had any questions or needed anything before their spouse's deployed.

This is my first time playing along with the gals at the Less is More Challenge Blog. 

This weeks challenge was Autumn.

I started out with an Early Espresso card base and ran it through my CB.  I opened up my card, took a piece of tape to line up my sentiment (Die-namics High Rise Alphabet) and ran it through the CB again.  I used the direct to paper technique with SU Whisper White.  (If I do a card like this again, I will reverse step 2 & 3, direct to paper then run sentiment through CB).  I used Die-namics Rolled Flowers, Upsy Daisy, Button and Rhinestone for my flower.  SU Very Vanilla Seam Binding and SU Linen Thread.  Inside I added a piece of white cardstock then ran my sentiment from Die-Namics High Rise Alphabet on a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  I closed my card and adhered my Pumpkin Pie sentiment in the negative space of the Early Espresso card base. 

The inside of my card-

A few weeks ago CAS-ual Fridays had a fun and unique challenge...to create something inspired by your blog header.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to play along that week, but I still wanted to do the challenge when I had the time.  So, what do you think?  Does it resemble my blog header???

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!

You Rock!!!

Sorry I've been MIA!  I've been really sick- twice in the last 3 weeks.  My daughter and youngest grandson caught what I had too.  I felt so bad for my grandbaby, just broke my heart to see him sick and not able to tell us what's wrong=(

Anyhow, I'm super late in posting this card.  I made this several weeks ago to thank my fellow spouse and very sweet friend, Barb for my birthday gift.  She also took me out for sushi for my very first time=).  I absolutely love going out to eat with Barb, she's eaten everywhere and has tried everything.  My hubs isn't to venturous when it comes to food.  It's been great to have a friend that walks you through the menu, makes sure you're not ordering the same thing so you can share each other's plate of food, is willing to go to any restaurant you want to try, and best of all...is always willing to share a dessert with you=)  I'm not only thankful to have such a great dinning out buddy, but I'm also so very thankful for our friendship.  I'm blessed to have such a wonderful friend in my life.

I started off stamping PI Prehistoric Girl in Memento Ink on Neenah, coloring with Copics.  I paper pieced her dress.  BG Konnichiwa paper, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake cardstock.  Die-namics Pretty Posies, CB Swiss Dot Folder, SU Ticket Punch, Twine and a Button.  Sentiment from PI Prehistoric Girl.  I used MFTWSC82.  Only 9 more MFTWSC Sketches and I'll be caught up again! 

Thank-you so much for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Barb!!!

I made this card for my fellow spouse and dear friend Barb for her birthday.  She's been such a blessing to have in my life and I'm so thankful for her friendship.

I started out stamping PI Cute-a-tude in Memento Ink on Neenah, coloring with Copics.  I paper pieced her dress and arms, then fussy cut her out.  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, and EP For the Record 2 paper.  I used a SU Creamy Caramel Marker on Very Vanilla cardstock to try to match the doily lines in the main patterned paper.  Die-namics Dizzy Doily Duo, Die-namices Jumbo Squiggle, Die-namics Upsy Daisy, SU 1 1/4 Square Punch, SU Linen Thread, Button, and Rhinestones.  I used MFTWSC92 for my layout.

    

Thank-you for stopping by.

Have a wonderful day!